I don't know how the Eagles would pass on Pouncey, the draft's top-rated interior offensive lineman. He could play guard or center in the pros, and would give new Philly O-line coach Howard Mudd (does anybody really retire for good any more?) a mainstay cog to build around. If the Eagles go for defense, Colorado cornerback Jimmy Smith is the name getting all the play.

Coincidentally, SI.com's Peter King wrote about Pouncey in his Monday Morning Quarterback column:

I think for all of you who think Mike Pouncey is the second coming of his twin, Steelers Pro Bowl center Maurkice, think of this: Mike Pouncey, in his first year playing center last fall (following in his brother's footsteps) had about 100 mis-snaps to the quarterback in the shotgun. I don't mean fumbled snaps necessarily, or snaps over the quarterback's head in the shotgun. I just mean snaps that the quarterback had to reach for and were not on target. I've spoken with a scout who's very interested in Pouncey but sees him as a guard. "Too much inaccuracy on the snaps,'' he said. "That can be practiced, and it should be. But you can't draft him expecting him to play center at a high level early like his brother.''

The two-time All-MAC selection starred at Temple, where he played two years as a three-technique in a 4-3 and then one tremendous junior year as a five-technique in the 3-4. A local kid from Linden, N.J., he’s a run stuffer inside with pass-rushing capabilities. Andy Reid loves building from the inside out, and in Wilkerson, he can add depth to a defensive line that was ravaged by injuries last season.

The presence of cornerback Asante Samuel prompted quarterbacks to attack the opposite side of the defense last season, and the Eagles lacked the personnel to combat the tactic. Smith would give the defense a rangy cover man with the skills to excel in one-on-one match ups.

The Eagles have had issues all over the offensive line and could go with a tackle here. With Howard Mudd coaching the group, he will want a key figure inside and the Eagles need a healthy center. Pouncey is versatile and Mudd gets a guy who can play anywhere.

Wes Bunting of the National Football Post has the Birds taking Colorado offensive tackle Nate Solder:

New offensive line coach Howard Mudd is going to want more athletic tackles manning the starting jobs. Solder fits the bill and fills a need at 23.

From 3/26:

Rob Rang of CBSSports.com has the Eagles going with Wisconsin tackle Gabe Carimi. Chad Reuter of CBSSports.com pencils them in for Colorado cornerback Jimmy Smith.

John Crist of Scout.com/FoxSports.com has the Eagles taking Boston College offensive tackle Anthony Castonzo:

If the Eagles trade Kevin Kolb, then they have to be extra careful with Vick and make sure he's protected for his reincarnation as a pocket passer.

Sheil Kapadia is in his fifth season writing about the Eagles and the NFL for philly.com. His earliest
memories as a sports fan include several trips to Veterans Stadium with
his Dad. He's not a beat writer or an Insider, but is here to
discuss the NFL 365 days a year. E-mail him at skapadia@philly.com or
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